Reflections on Reading & Lecture 

 The world of technology is constantly growing and integrating itself into our everyday lives. Through my own teaching experiences, technology plays a significant role in order to achieve success for my students. Keeping students engaged can be very stressful, but by using technology, even as simple as showing a Youtube video of Lang Lang playing Rhapsody in Blue or a beatbox flute player, students will stay engaged and motivated to experience music in different ways. Using websites such as Soundtrap.com can allow students to create music that is more relatable to them and take ownership of something that can be shared with the world. In the lecture video of Integrating Technology into the Classroom, it discussed how technology helps students create, lets everyone learn at their own pace and a considerable amount more of one-on-one teacher time with students. It is also vital to “keep up with the times” in this ever changing technology world and on what interests these kids in order to maintain a creative and enjoyable classroom. 

 Nearly everyone has had to embrace technology into their lives even though the country has been in recession. According to the text, Music Learning Today: Digital Pedagogy for Creating, Performing and Responding to Music (Bauer,2014), in 2009, consumers spent over $106 billion on technology (NPD Group, 2010b). The text refers to the word “technology” in relation to computers and digital tools that are used to develop strategies of understanding concepts the skills necessary in creating, responding and performing music. Music has been greatly impacted by technology and the way we assess, create, perform, and understand it as musicians. Every concert I direct, has some form of technology integrated in. Sound systems and audio tracks have helped me survive my first five years of performances. It’s cheaper than hiring an accompanist and way more convenient to survive the insanity we call concert season. In Chapter two, it discusses various ways that technology can be available to music students such as scheduling time in the computer lab or some schools have tablet/laptop carts. In my district we have both those option and I have used the computer lab on several occasions however I have not had access to the cart. Next year, I’d like to inquire into using the iPads especially after taking this course. 

References 

Bauer, W. I. (2014). A conceptual framework for technology - Assisted music learning. In 

                 Music Learning Today: Digital pedagogy for creating, performing, and 

                 responding to music. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.